Door and latch construction



1967 R. D. VON SEGGERN ETAL 3,3329% DOOR AND LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 30, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. faaaerd kamvfl saaea ewar7 ,9. dart- 1! g- 1967 R. n-vow sesaaw YETAL 393379993 DOOR AND LATCH CONSTRUCTION S sheets sheev' 2 Filed Sept. 50, 1964 Aug. 29; 1967,

DOOR AND LATCH CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 50, 1964 United States Patent 3,337,993 DOOR AND LATCH CONSTRUCTION Robert D. Von Seggern and Herbert A. Jespersen, Lincoin, Nebn, assignors to Outboard Marine Corporatlon, Waukegan, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 400,518 14 Claims. (Cl. 49-72) The invention relates generally to door and to door latch constructions. More specifically, the invention relates to doors including one portion or panel which must be shifted relative to another portion or panel in order to permit full opening of the door. Still more particularly, the invention relates to vehicles having bodies with sliding doors and to latch constructions for maintaining doors in one or more preselected positions.

The invention provides an operating mechanism for a door which includes two panels, one of which must be shifted relative to the other or main panel to permit full opening movement of the door. The mechanism includes, in effect, a single operating handle or lever which is operable both to effect relative movement between the door panels and movement of both door panels as a unit relative to a door frame and the opening defined thereby. In one embodiment, the operating handle sequentially effects relative movement between the door panels, followed by movement of the door panels as a unit during door opening movement. During closing movement, the door handle is operable to effect a reversed sequence of operations.

The invention also provides a latch mechanism for locking a door panel in one or both of its open and closed positions as an incident to door movement to said positions. In the particularly disclosed embodiment, the latch mechanism is incorporated with the mechanism for opening and closing the door so that shifting of the single handle is effective to unlatch the main door panel prior to opening and closing of the main door panel relative to the door frame. In this connection, the combined mechanism includes lost motion connections affording unlatching operation during particular portions of the handle movement without affecting the disposition of the door panels.

Also provided by the invention is a vehicle, such as a panel-truck or delivery van, including one or more side doors which are slidea'ble forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle between open and closed positions and which include a door panel which must be shifted relative to another or main door panel prior to sliding of the door from its closed position. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational View of the right side of a truck or van incorporating various of the features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partially broken away and sectioned, enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of the right truck side shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 2 of a modified right truck side structure embodying various of the features of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective View, partially in section,

of a portion of the latch mechanism;

FIGURE 9 is a partially diagrammatic elevational view of the latch mechanism incorporated in the right hand door of the vehicle shown in FIGURE 1, the components being viewed from inside of the vehicle and being shown in the condition when the door is open and the latch mechanism latched to the rearward portion of the door frame;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 showing the door in open condition with the latch mechanism unlatched;

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURES 9 and 10, illustrating the relationship of the components of the latch mechanism during door closing movement;

FIGURE 12 is a-view similar to FIGURES 9 and 10, showing the latch mechanism during initial engagement with the forward portion of the door frame;

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURES 9 through 12 showing the latch mechanism in latched condition with the main part of the door closed while the lower door section remains in elevated condition;

FIGURE 14 is a View similar to FIGURES 9 through 12 showing the latch mechanism when latched to the forward portion of the door frame and when the door is completely closed;

FIGURE 15 is a view similar to FIGURES 9 through 14 showing the latch mechanism with the handle rotated to raise the lower door section and immediately prior to unlatching from the forward portion of the door frame;

FIGURE 16 is a view similar to FIGURES 9 through 15 showing the latch mechanism in unlatched condition prior to rearward door opening movement;

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURES 9 through 16 showing the latch mechanism components during rearward door opening movement; and

FIGURE 18 is a view similar to FIGURES 9 through 17 showing the latch mechanism during initial engagement with the rearward portion of the door frame.

The panel truck or van 11 shown in the drawings includes a frame or body 13 (see FIGURE 1) which can be driven by any suitable power means, such as an internal combustion engine or electric motor, and which is supported for travel on a supporting surface by suitable means, such as a pair each of forward and rearward wheels 15 and 17, respectively. The frame 13 supports a seat 19 which is located above the front wheels 15 rearwardly of an access way 21 in front of and below the top of the forward wheels 15.

Included in the frame 13 are a pair of side walls or partitions 23, at least one of which includes means defining an opening 27 in the form of a door frame 25 (see FIGURE 1), including forward portion 97 and rearward portion 98 (see FIGURES 9-18). The opening 27 (see FIGURE 1) is disposed generally in co-planar relation to, and forwardly and above, the adjacent front wheel 15, including a lower portion 29 opening primarily into the access way 21 and an upper portion 31 extending above and rearwardly of the lower portion 29. The opening 27 is closed by a door 33 including a first or main panel 35 which closes the upper portion 31 of the opening 27, and a second or lower panel 37 which closes the lower portion 29 of the opening 27. While various materials can be employed for the panels 35 and 37, it is preferred to fabricate the lower panel from a light weight material to avoid or lessen injury in the event of sudden and unexpected lowering of the panel.

In the disclosed construction, in order to make available a maximum amount of space within the truck body 13, the door 33 is slideable rearwardly to clear the opening 27. However, the location of the adjacent wheel 15 prevents direct rearward movement of the lower or second panel 37. Accordingly, an operating mechanism or means is included for initially shifting the lower panel 37 relative to the upper panel 35 so as to clear the adjacent wheel 15 and for subsequently shifting both panels 35 and 37, as a whole, rearwardly along a channel or guideway 39 mounted on the partition 23.

More particularly, the main panel is slidably carried by the guideway 39 and is connected to the lower panel by means affording relative movement therebetween from and to a first position in which the lower panel 37 extends generally downwardly from the lower edge of the upper or main panel 35 and a second position in which the lower panel 37 extends generally within the confines of the upper panel 35. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, the upper or main panel 35 is provided with a guide way 41 which includes spaced rails 43 and which is engaged with the lower panel 37 to establish a rectilinear path of travel for the'lower panel 37 relative to the main panel 35. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, the main panel 35 is provided with a pivot 45 about which the second panel 37 is mounted for angular movement relative to the main panel 35.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the upper end of each rail 43 includes a stop 47 determining the uppermost limit of lower panel travel. Disengagement of the lower panel 37 from the guideway 41 is prevented, and actuation of the lower panel for movement between its first and second positions is provided, by connecting one end of a link or crank 49 to a pivot 51 mounted. on the lower panel 37, which crank 49 forms a part of the operating mechanism. In turn, the crank 49 is pivotally connected at its other end to one end of an arm or lever 53 which is pivotally mounted at its other end about a stud or pivot 55 carried on the main panel 35. The weight of the lower panel 37 is essentially supported or balanced by a tension spring 57 connected between the lever 53 and an anchor 59 located on the main panel 35 above the lever 53.

In addition to the crank 49 and the lever 53, the operating mechanism also includes a member or shaft 61 (see FIGURES 2, 4, and 8) which is rotatably mounted on the forward part of the main panel 35, together with handle means fixed to the shaft 61. In the disclosed embodiment, such handle means takes the form of two handle members or elements 63 and 65 which are fixed to the shaft 61 (see FIGURES 4 and 9), the handle member 63 being located on the outside of the main panel 35 and the handle member 65 being located on the inside of the main panel. Also fixed to the shaft 61 is an arm 67 (see FIGURES 2 and 7) which is pivotally connected through a first lost motion coupling or connection 69 to one end of a second arm or link 71. At its other end, the second link 71 is pivotally connected through a second lost motion coupling or connection 73 to the lever 53 at a point spaced from the pivot 55. The. lost motion connections 69 and 73 are generally of similar construction and their structure and function will be described hereinafter in further detail.

In door opening operation, one of the handle members 63 and 65 (see FIGURE 4) is rotated counterclockwise, as seen in FIGURES l and 2 (clockwise in FIGURES 9 through 18-) to cause like movement of the arm 67 (see FIGURE 7) and associated movement of the link 71 in a direction extending generally downwardly and rearwardly (to the left in FIGURES l and 2). Such move ment of the link 71 swings the lever 53 counterclockwise about the pivot 55, thereby raising the lower panel 37. When the lower panel 37 is raised, the handle means is used to unlatch and thrust the door 33 rearwardly. In closing the door 33, one of the handle members 63 and 65 is rocked clockwise as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, (counterclockwise in FIGURES 9 through 18). More specifically, such clockwise movement will initially cause the upper panel 35 to shift forwardly because movement of the lower panel 37 is blocked by the guideway 39. When the upper panel 35 is in its fully closed position, clockwise force applied to the handle will then serve to displace the link 71 upwardly and forwardly, thereby effecting clockwise shifting of the lever 53 and lowering of the lower panel 37 In addition to the foregoing, the operating mechanism co-operates with the door frame 25 to provide a latch mechanism for automatically latching the main door panel in response to its opening and closing movement. In addition, the latch mechanism provides for unlatching the main door panel in response to handle rotation during opening of the door and, when the main door panel 35 is in its open position, for unlatching the main panel 35 in response to handle rotation during door closing operation. It is in connection with the door unlatching operations that the before-mentioned lost motion'couplings 69 and 73 come into play.

More specifically, rotatably carried by the shaft 61 is a latch means in the form of a unitary latch or member 75 (see FIGURE 8) including a cam part 77 and an elongated latch bar 79 which co-operates with catches 95 and 96 (see FIGURE 9) mounted respectively on the forward and rearward portions 97 and 98 of the door frame 25 (see FIGURE 1). The latch bar 79 includes, as seen best in FIGURE 8, oppositely extending, forward and rearward hooks or latch parts, 81 and 82 respectively, the latch parts 81 and 82 having respective latching shoulders or stops 83 and 84 and underlying camming surfaces 85 and 86 leading from the adjacent extremity of the latch bar to the associated one of the stops 83 and 84. The cam part 77 includes two angularly spaced, radially extending stops or shoulders 87 and 88 which are connected by curved surfaces 89 and 91 generated by radii of different length. The member 75 is pivotally biased by resilient means such as the U-shaped leaf spring 93 to bias the member 75 into a position with the latch bar 79 extending horizontally so as to normally retain the latch bar in latched engagement with one of the catches 95 and 96 (see FIGURES 9 and 15).

More specifically, incident to. movement of the main door panel 35 to either its fully open or fully closed positions, one of the catches 95 and 96 is engaged by the associated one of the camming surfaces 85 and 86 to rock the member 75 until the associated one of the shoulders or stops 83 and 84 passes beyond and into latching engagement with the associated one of the catches 95' and 96. As a result, the upper or main door panel 35 is automatically latched against unwanted movement incident to full opening or closing thereof.

Also provided are means whereby, incident to door opening and closing operation of the handle means, the

latch bar 79 is disengaged from the engaged one of the catches 95 and 96. Such means includes a releasing fork or actuator 103 (see FIGURE 9) which is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the cam part 77 of the member 75 and which includes spaced legs 105 and 106. More specifically, the fork 103 is pivotally mounted on a stud 107 extending from the handle member 65. If desired, the fork 103 could be mounted on a plate extending fixedly from the shaft 61 and operated by either of the inside or outside handles which are also fixed to shaft.

61. The legs 105 and 106 include respective feet 109 and 110 (see FIGURE 9) for engaging the respective stops 87 and 88 of the cam part 77 (see FIGURE 8) and respective surfaces 113 and 114 (see FIGURE 9) for respectively engaging means in the form of abutments or striker plates 111 and 112 (see FIGURES 9 through 15) mounted respectively on the forward and rearward portions 97 and 98 of the door frame 25.

Means in the form of a helical compression spring 116 (see FIGURE 9) is also provided for biasing the fork or actuator 103 into olf centered position with respect to the supporting handle member 65 so that one of the stop engaging feet 109 and 110 is normally disposed adjacent the lesser radii surface 91 which extends between the stops 87 and 88. More specifically, as shown best in FIGURES 9 through 18, the spring 116 encircles a rod 118 which at one end includes a head 120 carried pivotally on a pin 122 fixed on the handle member 65. At its other end, the rod 118 extends slidably through a bore in a hub 124 mounted pivotally on a central arm 126 of the fork 103. At its ends, the spring 116 bears against the head 120 and against the hub 124 to urge these components apart, thereby providing an over-the-center action with respect to the handle member 65 and thereby serving to seat one of the feet 109 and 110 against the surface 91. As a result, handle rotation is effective to engage the feet 109 and 110 with the stops 87 and 88 and to thereby rock the member 75 for catch disengaging operation.

Handle movement to unlatch the main door panel 35 from the forward door frame portion 97 is permitted, after raising of the lower panel 37 to its elevated position, by means of the lost motion coupling 73.

The lost motion coupling 73 comprises, as seen best in FIGURE 5, a member 11 which, at one end, is pivotally connected about a stud or pin 117 to the end of the link 71. At its other end, the member 115 is pivotally mounted about a stud or pin 119 fixed to the lever 53 at a point spaced generally above the stud 55. Approximately midway of its length and extending from one side edge thereof, the member 115 includes a first bent ear or tab 121 which is engageable with one side 123 of a generally pointed triangular shaped projection 125 extending from the lever 53. The tab 121 is normally held in abutting engagement with said one side 123 of the projection 125 by a tension spring 127 which is anchored at one end to the lever 53 and at its other end to a bracket 12-9 projecting from the member 115.

Also approximately midway of its length and projecting from the other side edge, the member 115 includes a second bent ear or tab 131 which extends for engagement with the other side 133 of the projection 125 after movement of the member 115 against the action of the spring 127 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the lever 53 as seen in FIGURE 5. Such lost motion between the link 71 and the lever 53 permits additional rotation of the handle means to effect unlatching of the main door panel 35 notwithstanding the fixed position of the lever 53.

Handle movement to unlatch the door 33 from the frame 25, when the main door panel 35 is in its fully open position and when the lower panel is unable to move downwardly by reason of interference with the bottom guideway 39, is permitted by reason of the lost motion coupling 69 (see FIGURES 2 and 7). The lost motion coupling 69 is essentially of the same construction as the lost motion coupling 73, and will not be further described, except to note that the coupling 69 operates in the opposite sense as compared to the coupling 73, and that the arm 67 includes, as seen best in FIGURE 7, a projection 126 corresponding to the projection 125 on the lever 53.

In operation, assuming that the main door panel 35 is latched in its open position as shown in FIGURE 9, the door 33 can be closed by rotating one of the handle members 63' or 65 in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURES 9 through 18. Such rotational movement initially serves to engage the foot 110 with the stop 88 and to thereby rock the latch bar 79 in the counterclockwise direction, thereby raising the shoulder 84 out of engagement with the catch 96. Although the lower door panel 37 is incapable of moving downwardly from its elevated position, due to engagement with guideway 39, until the main door panel 35 is fully closed, handle rotation to disengage the shoulder 84 from the catch 96 is permitted by the lost motion coupling 69 (see FIG- =UR=ES 2 and 7). After the latch bar 79 is disengaged from the catch 96 (see FIGURE 10), further counterclockwise rotation of the handle means results in engagement of the tab 131a (see FIGURE 7) by the projection 126 on arm 67, thereby preventing further clockwise handle movement at this time due to interference between the lower panel 37 and the guideway 39. Engagement of the projection 126 with the tab 131a prevents overstressing of the spring 127a. Forwardly directed thrust on one of the partially vertically extending handle members 63 and 65 is then effective to displace the door 33 forwardly, as shown in FIGURE 11. During such movement, the spring 93 can serve to return the latch bar 79 to generally horizontal position.

As the main door panel 35 approaches the forward door frame portion 97 (see FIGURE 12), the surface 113 of the fork leg 105 engages the abutment 111 to rotate the fork 103 counterclockwise as seen in FIGURES 9 through 18, thereby disengaging the foot 110 from the stop 88, and further results in engagement of the foot 109 with the curved surface 91 due to over-the-center action of the spring 116. If the latch bar is not already in horizontal position, such disengagement of the foot 110 from the stop 88 permits the leaf spring 93 to rock the member so as to locate the latch bar 79 in its horizontal position ready for latching. Further movement of the main door panel 33 toward the forward door frame portion 97 serves to engage the camming surface with the catch v95 and, eventually, serves to latch the shoulder 83 with the catch 95, as shown in FIGURE 13.

When the main door panel 35 reaches its fully closed and latched position, the lower panel 37 clears the end of the guideway 39 and is thereby permitted to move downwardly in response to further rotation of the handle means in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG- URE 14. e

As shown in full lines in FIGURES 1, 2, and 14, when the panel 37 is fully lowered, the handle members extend generally horizontally.

In order to open the door 33, one of the handle members 63 and 65 is rotated in the clockwise direction from the position shown in FIGURE 14. Initially, such handle rotation raises the lower panel 37 into its elevated position shown in dotted outline in FIGURE 2. When the lower panel 37 is in its elevated position, the handle member 63 is in the intermediate dotted position indicated by the reference character B, in FIGURE 2. As shown by comparison of FIGURES 14 and 15, such handle rotation also serves to advance the foot 109 relative to the cam 77 until the foot 109 is nearly in engagement with the stop 87. Further rotation of the handle means clockwise, as seen in FIGURES 15 through 18, to unlatch the main door panel 35 from the door frame portion 97 is permitted by the lost motion coupling 73 (see FIGURES 2 and 5). Specifically, continued rotation of the handle means in the clockwise direction as seen in FIGURES 15 through 18 engages the foot 109 with the stop 87 to rock the member 75, including cam 77 and latch bar 79, in the clockwise direction, thereby disengaging the latch part 81 from the catch 95 (see FIG UR-E 16).

When all of the lost motion afforded by the'coupling 73 has been taken up, the handle members will then be in generally upright positions, .whereby 'rearwardly directed thrust will then serve to displace the door rearwardly. As the main door panel 35 approaches the rearward frame portion 98, the leg 106 of the fork 103 engages the abutment 112 (see FIGURE 18) to rotate the fork 103 clockwise as seen in FIGURES 9 through 18, thereby disengaging the foot 109 from the stop 87. Such action further results in engagement (as shown in FIG- URE 9) of the foot 110 with the surface 91 due to overthe-center action of the spring 116. Such disengagement of the foot 109 from the stop 87 also permits the leaf spring 93 to rock the member 75 including the latch bar 79 into horizontal position. Further rearward movement of the main door panel 35 toward its fully open position serves to engage the camming surface 86 with the catch 96 (see FIGURE 18), thereby rocking the latch bar 79 in the counterclockwise direction until the shoulder 84 passes over the catch 96 and is engaged thereby, The various components are then in latched open position as generally shown in FIGURE 9.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a partition including means defining an opening, a main panel, means on said partition for mounting said main panel for movement between a first position partially closing said opening and a second position substantially clear of said opening, a second panel, means connecting said second panel and said main panel for movement of said second panel between a first position in generally extending relation to said main panel so as to complete closure of said opening when said main panel is in its first position and a second position of less extending relation to said main panel, and means on said main panel operable independently of said partition and including a manually actuated operator located on said main panel and adjacent to the part which substantially fully traverses said opening during movement between said first and second positions for shifting said second panel between its first and second positions when said main panel is in its first position and for shifting said main panel relative to its first position when said second panel is in its second position.

2. A combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shifting means includes a pivot on said main panel, an arm pivotally mounted on said pivot and connected to said second panel to cause movement of said second panel between its first and second positions in response to rocking movement of said arm about said pivot, a second pivot on said main panel, a handle pivotally mounted on said second pivot, and a lever rotatable on said second pivot in accordance with rotation of said handle, and a link connecting said lever and said arm to effect rocking of said second panel in response to pivotal movement of said handle.

3. A combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said manually actuatable operator comprises a handle and wherein said shifting means also includes a pivot on said main panel, an arm pivotally mounted on said pivot and connected to said second panel by means including a pivot located on said second panel to cause movement of said second panel between its first and second positions in response to rocking movement of said arm about said pivot, a second position on said main panel, said second pivot pivotally mounting said handle, and a lever rotatable on said second pivot in accordance with rotation of said handle, and a link connecting said lever and said arm to effect rocking of said second panel in response to pivotal movement of said handle.

4. The combination of a partition including means including a door frame defining a door opening, a main door panel, means on said partition for mounting said main door panel for movement between a first position partially closing said opening and a second position substantially clear of said opening, 'a'second door panel, means connecting said second door panel and said main door panel for movement of said second door panel between a first position in generally extending relation to said main door panel so as to complete closure of said opening when said main door panel is in its first position and a second position of less extending relation to said main door panel, a catch on said door frame, latch means shiftably mounted on said main door panel for releasable engagement with said latch when said main door panel is in its first position, and means shiftably mounted on said main door panel independently of said partition and including a manually actuatable operator located adjacent to the part of said main panel which substantially fully traverses said opening during movement between said first and second positions and connected to said latch means and to said second door panel for shifting said second door panel from its first position to its second position when said main door panel is in its first position, for shifting said latch means out of engagement with said catch when said main door panel is in its first position, and for shifting said main door panel from its first position when said second door panel is in its second position.

5. The combination of a partition including means including a door frame defining a door opening, a main door panel, means on said partition for mounting said main door panel for movement between a first position partially closing said opening and a second position substantially clear of said opening, a second door panel, means connecting said second door panel and said main door panel for movement of said second door panel between a first position in generally extending relation to said main door panel so as to complete closure of said opening when said main door panel is in its first position and a second position of less extending relation to said main door panel, a catch on said door frame, latch means shiftably mounted on said main door panel for releasable engagement with said catch when said main door panel is in its first position, means shiftably mounted on said main door panel independently of said partition and including a manually actuated operator located on said main panel and adjacent to the part which substantially fully traverses said opening during movement between said first and second positions for sequential operation to shift said second door panel from its first position to its second position when said main door panel is in its first position, to shift said latch means out of engagement with said catch when said main door panel is in its first position, and to shift said main door panel from its first position when said second door panel is in its second position, means including lost motion means for connecting said shifta-bly mounted means to said latch means to permit shifting of said second door panel relative to its first position without affecting the engagement of said latch means with said catch, and means including lost motion means for connecting said shiftably mounted means to said main door panel to permit shifting of said latch means relative to said catch when said second door panel is in its second position.

6. The combination of a partition including means including a door frame for defining a door opening, said door frame having a pair of spaced apart opposed portions, a door including a main panel having a first portion with a first pivot and a second portion with a second pivot, and a second panel, said door being movable between open and closed positions, means on said partition mounting said main panel for movement between a first position partially closing said opening with said first panel portion adjacent one of said frame portions and a second position substantially clear of said opening with said first panel port-ion adjacent to the other of said frame portions, a guideway on said main panel in engagement with said second panel for affording movement of said second panel relative to said main panel between a first position in generally extending relation to said main panel so as to complete closure of said opening when said main panel is in its first position and a second position within the confines of said main panel, a catch on each of said door frame portions, latch means including a latch part at each end thereof, means rotatably mounting said latch means on said first pivot in position for releasably engaging one of said latch parts with the said catch on one of said frame portions when said main panel is in its first position and for engaging the other of said latch parts with the catch of the other of said frame portions when said main panel is in its second position, an arm pivotally mounted on said first pivot, a handle connected to said arm for rotation of the latter in response to rotation of the former, a lever pivotally mounted on said second pivot and connected to said second panel to effect movement of said second panel between its first and second positions in response to rocking movement of said lever about said pivot, a link, means including means afiording lost motion in one rotative direction for coupling said link to said lever, means including means affording lost motion in the other rotative direction for connecting said arm to said link, and means for connecting said handle to said latch means to rotate said latch means so as to effect disengagement thereof from said catches during lost motion of said arm relative to said lever, whereby, when said door is in its closed position and said handle is rocked in one rotative direction, said second panel is moved from its second position to its first position, followed by lost motion of said link relative to said lever to permit disengagement of said one latch part from said one catch and subsequent movement of said main panel from its first position, and when said door is in its second position and said handle is rocked in the other rotative direction, said arm initially moves through a range of lost motion relative to said link to permit disengagement of said other latch part from said other catch, followed by movement of said main panel toward its first position and movement of said second panel to its second position.

7. The combination comprising a door frame including a catch, a door panel movable relative to said door frame and having a pivot thereon, a latch member rotatably mounted on said pivot and including a latch part engageable with said catch, and a cam part having a shoulder, means engaging said latch member for biasing said latch part into engagement with said catch, and actuating means pivotally mounted on said latch member about an axis spaced from said pivot and shiftable relative to said latch member and with said latch member about said pivot for engagement with said shoulder to rotate said latch member out of engagement with said catch against the action of said biasing means.

8. The combination of a door frame, a door panel movable relative to a door frame closing position, a catch on said door frame, a latch having a latch part and a cam part including a radially extending shoulder, means rotatably mounting said latch on said door panel in position for releasably engaging said latch part with said catch when said door panel is in its door frame closing position, means biasing the rotation of said latch for engagement of said latch part with said catch, a latch releasing actuator including a first engagement surface, means mounting said actuator for rotation about the rotational axis of said latch and for rotation about a second axis spaced from said latch rotational axis between a first position disposing said first engagement surface in position for engagement with said shoulder on said cam part when said actuator is rotated in one direction about the axis of rotation of said latch and a second position disposing said first engaging surface out of position for engagement with said shoulder notwithstanding rotation of said actuator about the rotational axis of said latch, means for biasing rotation of said actuator about said second axis selectively into one of its first and second positions, an abutment surface on said door frame, a second engagement surface on said actuator located for engagement by said abutment surface on said door frame in response to approach of said door panel to its door frame closing posit-ion to effect shifting of said actuator about said second axis to its first position, and means for rotatably shifting said actuator about the rotational axis of said latch to afford rocking of said latch part out of engagement with said catch when said actuator is in its first position.

9. The combination of a door frame having a pair of spaced apart opposed portions, a door panel movable relative to said door frame and having one portion movable between first and second positions respectively adjacent said opposed door frame portions, a catch on each of said door frame portions, latch means having a latch part at each end and a cam part located between said latch parts and including a pair of radially extending angularly spaced shoulders, means rotatably mounting said latch means on said door panel portion in position for releasably engaging one of said latch parts with the catch of one of said frame portions when said door panel portion is in its first position and for engaging the other of said latch parts with the catch of the other of said frame portions when said door panel portion is in its second position, means biasing said latch means for engagement of said latch parts with said catches, a latch means actuator including a pair of fork legs, means mounting said actuator for rotation about the rotational axis of said latch means and for rotation about a second axis spaced from said latch means rotational axis between a first position disposing one of said legs in position for engagement with one of said shoulders on said cam part when said actuator is rotated in one direction about the axis of rotation of said latch means, and a second position disposing the other of said legs in position for engagement with the other of said shoulders when said actuator is rotated about the rotational axis of said latch means in a direction opposite to said one direction, means for biasing rotation of said actuator about said second axis selectively into one of its first and second positions, an abutment surface on each of said door frame portions, a first engagement surface on said actuator disposed for engagement by said abutment surface of one of said frame portions in response to approach of said door panel portion to its first position to effect shifting of said actuator about said second axis to one of its first and second positions, a second engagement surface on said actuator located for engagement by said abutment surface on the other door frame portion in response to approach of said door panel portion to its second position to effect shifting of said actuator about said second axis to the other of its first and second positions, and means for rotatably shifting said actuator about the rotational axis of said latch means to afford rocking of said latch parts out of engagement with said catches.

10. The combination of a partition including means including a door frame for defining a door opening, a main door panel, means on said partition mounting said main door panel for movement between a first position partially closing said opening and a second position substantially clear of said opening, a second door panel, means connecting said second door panel and said main door panel for movement of said second door panel between a first position in generally extending relation to said main door panel so as to complete closure of said opening when said main door panel is in its first position and a second position of less extending relation to said main door panel, a catch on said door frame, latch means having a latch part and a cam part including a radially extending shoulder, means rotatably mounting said latch means on said main door panel in position for releasably engaging said latch part with said catch when said main door panel is in its first position, means biasing the rotation of said latch means for releasable engagement of said latch part with said catch, a latch releasing actuator including a first engagement surface, means mounting said actuator for rotation about the rotational axis of said latch means and for rotation about a second axis spaced from said latch means rotational axis between a first position disposing said first engaging surface in position for engagement with said shoulder on said cam part when said actuator is rotated about the axis of rotation of said latch means and a second position disposing said first engaging surface out of position for engagement with said shoulder notwithstanding rotation of said actuator about the rotational axis of said latch means, an abutment surface on said door frame, a second engagement surface on said actuator located for engagement by said abutment surface on said door frame in response to approach of said main door panel to its first position to effect shifting of said actuator about said second axis to its first position, and means shiftably mounted on said main door panel and connected to said actuator and to said second door panel for rotatably shifting said actuator about the rotational axis of said latch means to afford rocking of said latch part out of engagement with said catch when said actuator is in its first position, for shifting said second door panel between its first and second positions when said main door panel is in its first position, and for shifting said main door panel between its first and second positions when said second door panel is in its second position.

11. The combination of a partition including means including a door frame for defining a door opening, said door frame having a pair of spaced apart opposed portions, a main door panel having a portion, means on said partition mounting said main door panel for movement between a first position partially closing said opening with said one panel portion adjacent one of said frame portions and a second position substantially clear of said opening with said one panel portion adjacent to the other of said frame portions, a second door panel, means connecting said second door panel and said main door panel for movement of said second door panel between a first position in generally extending relation to said main door panel so as to complete closure of said opening when said main door panel is in its first position and a second position of less extending relation to said main door panel, a catch on each of said door frame portions, latch means having a latch part at each end and a cam part located between said latch parts and including a 'pair of radially extending angularly spaced shoulders, means rotatably mounting said latch means on said main door panel portion in position for releasably engaging one of said latch parts with the catch of one of said frame portions when said main door panel is in its first position and for engaging the other of said latch parts with the catch of the other of said frame portions when said main door panel is in its second position, means biasing said latch means for releasable engagement of said latch parts with said catches, a latch part releasing actuator including a pair of fork legs, means mounting said actuator for rotation about the rotational axis of said latch means and for rotation about a second axis spaced from said latch means rotational axis between a first position disposing one of said legs in position for engagement with one of said shoulders on said cam part when said actuator is rotated in one direction about the axis of rotation of said latch means, and a second position disposing the other of said legs in position for engagement with the other of said shoulders when said actuator is rotated about the rotational axis of said latch means in a direction opposite to said one direction, means for biasing rotation of said actuator about said second axis selectively into one of its first and second positions, an abutment surface on each of said door frame portions, a first engagement surface on said actuator disposed for engagement by said abutment surface of said one frame portion in response to approach of said door panel to its first position to effect shifting of said actuator about said second axis to one of its first and second positions, a second engagement surface on said actuator located for engagement by said abutment surface of the other door frame portion in responseto approach of said main door panel to its second position to effect shifting of said actuator about said second axis to the other of its first and second positions, and means shiftably mounted on said main door panel portion and connected to said actuator and to said second door panel for rotatably shifting said actuator about the rotational axis of said latch means to afford rocking of said latch parts out of engagement with said catches, for shifting said second door panel between its first and second positions when said main door panel is in its first position, and for shifting said main door panel between its first and second positions when said second door panel is in its second position.

12. A vehicle including a body having a side wall including means defining an opening having an upper portion and a lower portion, a wheel rotatably mounted in adjacent relation to said opening in said side wall and extending above the lower edge of said lower portion of said opening, a main door panel, means on said body for mounting said main door panel for sliding movement above the top of said wheel in a plane including said wheel between a first position closing said upper portion of said opening and a second position substantially clear of said opening, a second door panel, means connecting said second door panel and said main door panel for movement of said second door panel when said main door panel is in its first position, between a first position in downwardly extending relation to said main door panel and in closing relation to said lower portion of said opening, and a second position within the confines of said main door panel, and means on said main door panel independently of said partition and in-,

cluding a manually actuated operator located on said main panel and adjacent to the part which substantially fully traverses said opening during movement between said first and second positions for shifting said second door panel between its first and second positions when said main door panel is in its first position and for shifting said main door panel between its first and second positions when said second door panel is in its second position.

13. The combination of a door frame, a door panel movable relative to a door frame closing position, a catch on said door frame, a latch having a latch part and a cam part including a radially extending shoulder, means rotatably mounting said latch on said door panel in position for releasably engaging said latch part with said catch when said door panel is in its door frame closing position, means biasing the rotation of said latch for engagement of said latch part with said catch, a latch releasing actuator including a first engagement surface means mounting said actuator for rotation about the rotational axis of said latch and for rotation about'a second axis spaced from said latch rotational axis between a first position disposing said first engagement surface in position for engagement with said shoulder on said cam part when said actuator is rotated in one direction about the axis of rotation of said latch means and a second position disposing said first engaging surface out of position for engagement with said shoulder notwithstanding rotation of said actuator about the rotational axis of said latch, and means for biasing rotation of said actuator about said second axis selectively into one of its first and second positions.

14. The combination of a door frame, a door panel movable relative to a door frame closing position, a catch on said door frame, a latch having a latch part and a cam part including a radially extending shoulder, means rotatably mounting said latch on said door panel in position for releasably engaging said latch part with said catch when said door panel is in its door frame closing position, means biasing the rotation of said latch for engagement of said latch part with said catch, a latch 13 releasing actuator including a first engagement surface, means mounting said actuator for rotation about the rotational axis of said latch and for rotation about a second axis spaced from said latch rotational axis between a first position disposing said first engagement surface in position for engagement with said shoulder on said cam part when said actuator is rotated in one direction about the axis of rotation of said latch means and a second position disposing said first engaging surface out of position for engagement with said shoulder nowithstanding 10 rotation of said actuator about the rotational axis of said latch, means for biasing rotation of said actuator about said second axis selectively into one of its first and second positions, and means for rotatably shifting said actu- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 527,806 10/1894 Pile 49163 2,188,139 1/1940 Raymond 292224 X 2,540,686 2/1951 Milburn 292224 2,658,792 11/1953 Scott 49102 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

. ,A t 1H ator about the rotational axis of said latch to afford 15 I K BELL Sm an xammer 

7. THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A DOOR FRAME INCLUDING A CATCH, A DOOR PANEL MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID DOOR FRAME AND HAVING A PIVOT THEREON, A LATCH MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PIVOT AND INCLUDING A LATCH PART ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CATCH, AND A CAM PART HAVING A SHOULDER, MEANS ENGAGING SAID LATCH MEMBER FOR BIASING SAID LATCH PART INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CATCH, AND ACTUATING MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID LATCH MEMBER ABOUT AN AXIS SPACED FROM SAID PIVOT AND SHIFTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID LATCH MEMBER AND WITH SAID LATCH MEMBER ABOUT SAID PIVOT FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SHOULDER TO ROTATE SAID LATCH MEMBER OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CATCH AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID BAISING MEANS. 